Role of the transcription factor c-Jun/AP–1 in response to β-Catenin signaling in the liver

Background & Aims: The Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway is important in liver physiology and frequently deregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma. Analysis of the immediate hepatic phenotypes and molecular events following β-Catenin activation e.g. by deletion of the tumor suppressor APC may therefore identify novel candidates for targeted therapies. The AP–1 transcription factor c-Jun is considered as a β-Catenin target gene. In the liver, c-Jun strongly promotes hepatocyte proliferation, survival and hepatocarcinogenesis, raising the question whether c-Jun is involved in the signaling network following β-Catenin…